Protecting Georgia's Waterways - College of Public Health

Letter from the Dean
Contents
College of Public Health
Magazine 2010
Vol.3, No.1
Phillip L. Williams, Ph.D.
Dean
Eric Dahl, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for
Health Science Initiatives
Robert S. Galen, M.D., M.P.H.
Sr. Associate Dean for
Research and Outreach
Joel M. Lee, Dr.P.H.
Assistant Dean for
Academic Affairs
Contributing writers
Johnathan McGinty
Brian Brodrick
Sam Fahmy
Design
Lindsay Robinson
Public Affairs
Editor
Kate Lindsey O’Reilly
Contact
Kate Lindsey O’Reilly
Director of Development
College of Public Health
N122C Coverdell Center
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
706-542-2590
krl@uga.edu
www.publichealth.uga.edu
The University of Georgia is a unit of the
University System of Georgia. The University of
Georgia is an equal Employment Opportunity/
Affirmative Action Institution.
In compliance with federal law, including the provisions
of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Sections 503 and 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Georgia does
not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color,
national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or military service
in its administration of educational policies, programs,
or activities; its admissions policies; scholarship and
loan programs; athletic or other University-administered
programs; or employment. In addition, the University does
not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation consistent
with the University non-discrimination policy. Inquiries or
complaints should be directed to the director of the Equal
Opportunity Office, Peabody Hall, 290 South Jackson Street,
University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. Telephone 706-542-
7912 (V/TDD). Fax 706-542-2822
Last summer we received word of our accreditation from
the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the
independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education to accredit schools of public health. Since then, our
progress has been dramatic.
We have continued to hire dedicated faculty and staff. Our
faculty is producing world-class research in a number of areas.
We have hosted hundreds for a symposium on health in Africa.
We have begun collaborating with the new MCG-UGA Medical
Partnership, which is anticipating its first class this fall.
Our experts continue to build national reputations in five key
areas of public health expertise: obesity, infectious disease, cancer
research, gerontology and disaster preparedness. Outside funding
in these and other areas continues to increase – we now receive
more than $6 million annually in funds and grants, ranking us in the top
five among UGA colleges.
Stepping away from campus, we have focused on public service and
outreach. Much like the agricultural extension programs that helped
restore Georgia agriculture in the mid-1900s, we hope to restore health
to Georgia’s communities in the decades ahead. We began by deploying
Archway Public Health professionals in Athens and Sandersville, and
these professionals are actively working to introduce public health
principles into local communities. We hope to add at least one more
Archway professional in a South Georgia community later this year or
early next year.
Perhaps most importantly, in May we graduated another outstanding
class. I am confident that this group will contribute to public health in
Georgia – and beyond – for decades.
All of this occurred in the shadow of the worst recession in anyone’s
memory. We have moved forward despite significant budget cuts at
the University, and we continue to benefit from strong support from
university leadership. Growth in this economy says a lot about this
college, its future and its importance to this state and this country.
While we have a busy summer and fall ahead, we are also looking
forward to more changes in the future. We will move to Prince Avenue as
an anchor of the new UGA Health Sciences campus next year. We will
provide more details about this in a future issue, but this move presents
tremendous new opportunities for our students, faculty and staff to
interact with each other and with the greater Athens community. The
move will also offer an opportunity to educate Georgians about public
health and better communicate with the public on our mission. We will
take full advantage of this opportunity.
There is a sense of excitement in the college about the impending
move and our overall momentum. Thanks to each of you for your
support and interest in our college.
Sincerely,
Phillip L. Williams, Ph.D., Dean
The College of Public
Health at the University
of Georgia promotes health in
human populations through
innovative research, exemplary
education, and enagaged
service dedicated to preventing
disease and injury within the
state and around the world.
Departments
2 College News
6 Environmental Health Science
• Public Health Faculty Member Discovers Hidden
Threats in Georgia Waterways
8 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Former English Major Applies “Replacement
Principle” in Battle Against TB
10 Health Policy and Management
• Healthcare Reform Law Will Change Healthcare,
Deliver Billions for Public Health Effort
12 Health Promotion and Behavior
• Research Q&A with Pamela Orpinas
• Croatia Maymester Study Abroad Program
14 Institute of Gerontology
• The Art and Science of Aging Gracefully
16 Institute for Health Management
and Mass Destruction Defense
• UGA Researcher Hopes for Best, Helps America
Prepare for Worst
18 Alumni and Development
• Honor Roll of Donors
• Tyson Turner: Physician in Training,
Simultaneously Mastering Public Health Degree
• Global Health Symposium Connects UGA with
the World
2 College of Public Health Fall 2010 1